Documents Made Public in Ameren Rate Complaint

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - State utility regulators have publicly released a confidential report detailing how much money has been earned by Ameren Missouri.

The Missouri Public Service Commission decided Tuesday to unseal a November report that has been at the heart of a complaint alleging the St. Louis-based electric company was earning more than allowed.

The newly released documents also include testimony from utility regulation consultants hired by Noranda Aluminum, which is leading the challenge of Ameren's electricity rates.

The consultants said Ameren exceeded its authorized return on equity by $29 million during a 12-month period ending last Sept. 30. But the consultants said Ameren's allowable earnings rate should be adjusted downward. If that adjustment were made, the consultants estimated that Ameren earned $67 million more than what was reasonable.